Airtel launches AI-based fraud alert system to tackle OTP-related banking scams: How it works

Bharti Airtel has introduced a new AI fraud detection system to reduce the growing number of OTP-based banking scams in India. It is called as Fraud Alert and is specifically designed to offer real-time warnings to customers when they may be at risk of sharing sensitive one-time passwords during suspicious phone calls.

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For the unversed, OTP fraud has become a common tactic used by scammers, who often create a sense of urgency by posing as delivery agents, bank representatives or service providers. Victims are tricked into revealing banking OTPs, allowing fraudsters to gain access to their accounts and siphon off funds.

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How it works

The new Airtel system works at the network level and uses AI to flag potentially risky situations. If a bank-related OTP is triggered while a customer is on what the system identifies as a suspicious incoming call, Airtel sends an immediate alert cautioning the user about the risks of sharing the code. The idea is to interrupt the scam in progress and give users a moment to reassess before proceeding.

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Over the past two years, Airtel has rolled out several AI-backed tools, including spam call identification and malicious link blocking, to reduce fraud exposure for its subscribers. However, the company acknowledged that social engineering and impersonation scams continue to pose challenges, prompting the need for more proactive, real-time interventions.

The new Airtel Fraud Alert feature is available in Haryana and will be rolled out in other states in a phased manner. However, the exact timeline remains under the wraps.

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Ashish Singh

Ashish Singh is the Chief Copy Editor at Digit. He's been wrangling tech jargon since 2020 (Times Internet, Jagran English '22). When not policing commas, he's likely fueling his gadget habit with coffee, strategising his next virtual race, or plotting a road trip to test the latest in-car tech. He speaks fluent Geek. View Full Profile